Features

Archive for the ‘Worker’s Rights’ Category

Currently in the Republic of Ireland, minister Frances Fitzgerald is trying to introduce the so-called ‘Swedish Model’ for sex work. This model involves the criminalisation of the ‘purchase of sexual services’ or in other words the criminalisation of the clients of sex workers. But not all is black and white. While the governement claims to be protecting women it has presided over severe cuts to the lone parent allowance and in the last week cuts to the core funding of the Rape Crisis Centre. At a time when crisis calls have increased by 30% these cuts have now forced the closure of the Rape Crisis Centre in Galway. Ireland has laws against human trafficing and agaisnt violence and these laws should be enforced to protect all women and men regardless of the law on the purchase of sex. Adopting the ‘Swedish Model’ in a country with declining social services and none of the exit supports that are available in Sweden is considered inappropriate by many sex workers. But unfortunatley the voice of these workers has too often been left out of the debate. Below is an opinion piece by one such worker:Read More

Workers in Dunnes Stores are currently in a battle with their employer to end the exploitative practice of zero hour contacts.

This is an important struggle for workers rights across the country. Irish workers are facing increasing underemployment, short-term contracts and precarious employment terms for less and less wages.Read More